It is a great pleasure and honour for me to have the opportunity
to speak to you on this day, which marks the approach of the fifth
anniversary of Albania’s accession to the Council of Europe. However,
I wish to emphasise that co-operation with the Council – the oldest
European organisation championing democracy and human rights – dates
back to before 1995, as cooperation was established between the
Albanian Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly in 1991.

I thank you once again for the interest shown towards my country
and my government, as well as the interest shown in our democratic
and institutional developments. I am grateful for the opportunity
to be present here to outline our most recent developments and efforts,
and our resolve to proceed.

Today, Albania – and the government I have the honour to head
– is totally involved in the process of democratic transformation.
The country has achieved multi-dimensional progress, the most salient achievements
being respect for human rights, both civil and political; respect
for the rights of minorities; cultural diversity; linguistic pluralism;
and freedom and cooperation among various religious communities.

We have put in place a functioning state based on the principle
of the rule of law. On that foundation lies the new constitution,
which clearly defines the separation of the various powers, the
independence of the judiciary, decentralisation of power at a local
level, the encouragement of a private media and many other things. Significant
steps have been undertaken with regard to economic recovery and
build-up.

Such steps are closely linked to the stability in the country,
the rule of law, the fight against corruption and an active role
for our foreign policy in the framework of the Stability Pact for
Southeastern Europe, the general economic improvement of the country
and the adoption and implementation of relevant legislation. These create
the proper ground for the government to have clear and concrete
perspectives for development.

We are committed to conducting the upcoming local elections
in a free and fair manner and we will not permit such elections
to create rifts and to be an excuse for division. Therefore, we
are co-operating closely with the international community, particularly
the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the
Council of Europe, to find consensus on a few pending issues.

However, we note with regret that the major opposition party
seems to lack such a will and defies the constitution. Its representatives
have attended some of our meetings with the OSCE and the Council
of Europe and we hope for their continued participation.

Law enforcement and strengthening the rule of law remain high
on the agenda of my government. The fight against corruption and
illegal trafficking and the strengthening of the judiciary and the
police along the lines agreed upon with our international partners
continues with great determination.

Recently we adopted a package of laws aimed at reforming the
police force. Following the adoption last November of the law on
state police, which finally marks its separation from politics,
we are currently working to strengthen police co-operation among
the countries of the region to increase efficacy in the fight against organised
and cross-border crime. We have achieved important results and,
in 1999, there was a sharp decrease in crimes committed.

With regard to corruption – still a major challenge for the
entire region, Albania included — we have focused our attention
on two aspects; namely the fight against corruption in the national
and regional frameworks. By the latter, we mean co-operation with
the countries of the region, not to mention adherence to a series
of European conventions and agreements. Of course, this entails
the efficient implementation of obligations stemming from those
conventions.

As the chairman of the government programme against corruption,
I am aware of my specific obligations and I am committed to fight
to the very end against corruption. However, the fight against corruption
is not a task simply for the police, the courts or the government
alone. It must encompass all of society, with the government carrying
a specific responsibility.

Albania’s strategic goal is to strengthen ties with the European
Union and Nato, with the long-term aim of becoming a member of those
organisations. We can achieve that by the consistent implementation
of reforms, the modernisation of state and society and a continuing
policy of reliable and predictable partnerships with the international
community.

In this respect, I would like to single out the fact that,
during the last few months, we have worked hard to achieve the main
targets of Albania’s integration into Europe and the Euro-Atlantic
structures. In our relations with the European Union, essential
developments have been achieved. Late last month in Brussels, I
officially handed over Albania’s status report. I hope that, by
the end of this year, we will be able to start the negotiation of
an association and stabilisation agreement with the EU, We are fully
dedicated to honouring our commitments.

Bilateral relations with Nato have witnessed new and important
developments following the Kosovo crisis. With regard to the membership
action plan, we are now in the phase of consultation and we are
accomplishing step by step the requirements set forth by the organisation.

The Albanian Government is fully committed to continuing reforms
to the legal and judicial system. I want to take this opportunity
to express my gratitude for the contribution that the Council of
Europe and the European Commission have made, through the action
plan, to the reform of the judiciary and the legal system in Albania. In
this framework, there have been some major achievements related
to the independence and efficacy of the judiciary. These will definitely
help to recover its lost credibility.

The Government of Albania has focused much attention on the
expansion of the progress of structural reform in the basic areas
of governance. Important progress has been made in the framework
of the joint action plan between Albania, the Council of Europe
and the European Commission to carry out further reforms in the
field of justice.

However, we are aware that democratic, economic and social
prosperity is intimately linked with the entire development of the
region and, in particular, with the stability and strengthening
of relations with and among neighbouring countries. For that reason,
Albania gave full support from the very beginning to the Stability
Pact for Southeastern Europe, which we believe offers a new framework
for the stabilisation and development of Southeastern Europe. The
Stability Pact promotes democracy, economic development and security
which, in the end, will enhance the integration of the countries
of the region into the Euro-Atlantic structures. However, we believe
that strengthening our internal policies and institutions is a prerequisite
to using the opportunities offered by the Stability Pact properly.
The Government of Albania believes that the active participation
of the Council of Europe in the three round tables of the pact –
in particular table one on democracy, and table three on human rights
– is vital to the countries of the region.

The Government of Albania has fully supported the commitments
of the international community for the stabilisation of the situation
in Kosovo embodied in Security Council Resolution 1244. As you are
aware, some of the major challenges the international community
is facing in Kosovo include the establishment of a secure environment
for the return of all displaced persons, confidence building to
ensure multi-ethnic cohabitation, restoration of law and order,
creation of self- governing democratic institutions pending a final
political settlement, and so forth.

I believe that the obstacles to the free return of refugees,
regardless of their ethnic origin, and the efforts ethnically to
cantonise Kosovo – in particular the latest events in Mitrovica
– are diametrically opposed to the above-mentioned principles. The
recent vicious circle of violence in Mitrovica is beyond doubt a
consequence of the policy followed by the regime in Belgrade, which
aims at destabilising and questioning all that has been achieved
so far in Kosovo. Therefore, we deem it important that the international
community maintain the embargo on Milosevic’s regime. Otherwise,
as he is a dangerous liability, he will be reinvigorated and his
grip on power will be strengthened.

The processes are as one and are inseparable, and the goals
can be achieved only through a serious commitment by all countries
of the region, as well as by the international organisations. Albania’s
regional policy is characterised and based on the philosophy of
good neighbourliness. To that end, we are co-operating closely with
the governments of Greece, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
and Bulgaria to identify projects of mutual regional impact. We
are paying particular heed to relations with the democratic forces
in Montenegro.

Recently, the Albanian Parliament set up an ad hoc committee
to assist in the implementation of the Stability Pact. The pact
is a post-conflict healing process and therefore it should maintain
a certain balance among countries in the region. It is a well-known
fact that Albania inherited the worst infrastructure compared with
other countries. It also bore the major brunt of the Kosovo humanitarian
crisis, the consequences of which are now being felt. Hence it is
vital that Albania is supported in the distribution of funds. In
this respect, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the
donor countries that endorsed Albania’s projects in the last financing
conference in Brussels, late last month.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are of the opinion that the Council
of Europe is a political organisation of general competence, which
is contributing and will continue to contribute to the future consolidation
of the region. The role of the Organisation in the post-conflict
era in relation to other organisations consists of a series of major tasks
encompassing the establishment of democratic institutions, protection
of human rights, assistance to refugees and activities in the field
of local democracy, the judiciary, civil society, the media and
other areas. Such activities are implemented both through providing
expertise and through the office of the Council of Europe in Pristina,
Kosovo. In this framework, we appreciate the invaluable role that
the Council of Europe is playing in the accomplishment of the tasks
of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.

The Government of Albania believes that the Council of Europe
is vital in Southeastern Europe, in particular its contribution
to the establishment of a constitutional framework, the development
of a democratic culture, cultural heritage and so forth. These are
the main pillars of the programme of the Organisation for stability
in the region and they ensure the protection of human rights for
all citizens. This contribution becomes more significant if we want
to avoid future conflicts. In this context, the role of the Assembly
is vital.

Alongside the consolidation of state structures, the Government
of Albania has taken concrete steps to fulfil the duties set forth
by various international organisations including, of course, the
Council of Europe. The signing of Protocol No. 6 to the European
Convention on Human Rights, which abolishes the death penalty, marks
a sea-change in our legislation and, what is more, it is important
for changing our mentality. Nevertheless, I want to underline the
fact that it has not been easy for us to take such a step and to
observe our commitment, taking into account the developments my
country has been through in the past. But, in our judgment, capital
punishment gives a false sense of security to the public. Worst
of all, playing God in this way has no conceivable moral basis.
Much remains to be done – a civilised state, to deserve its name,
must uphold, not violate, the sanctity of human life.

With regard to the government’s programme and the implementation
of its priorities, we have resolved to go ahead with democratic,
legal, institutional and economic reforms. Permit me to express
my deep appreciation for the enormous support offered by the Council
of Europe and other European organisations in this regard. The accession
of Albania to the Council of Europe Development Fund, the establishment
of the state publication centre and of the magistrate’s school,
the judicial police, support with drafting the organic law for the
Ministry of Justice, the efforts to adjust Albanian legislation
to make it compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights
– which is in fact one of the priorities of our mutual co-operation
– and the programme for democratic stability in Southeastern Europe,
approved in May 1999 in Budapest, are some of the major areas of
our co-operation that are bearing fruit now. This process of cooperation
has enabled us to achieve the priorities set forth in our programme,
thus facilitating the way to Albania’s integration into Euro-Atlantic
structures. Obviously we have a long way to go and these are long-term
objectives which will require strong commitment and perseverance
on our part.

Before concluding, I would like to emphasise that we are working
hard to improve the image and perception that others have of Albania
and to show that the Albania that we want to build is a European
Albania. We are aware of the difficulties ahead of us, so we very
much need the support of European and international organisations,
as well as that of the most developed democracies, with the aim
of consolidating state institutions, invigorating our economy and
promoting cultural values. This process, for which I am convinced we
will have your support, is a serious challenge to the Albanian Government
and the entire country.

Dear Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to conclude
by expressing, on behalf of the government I represent, my firm
conviction that the fruitful co-operation of, and contribution of
your Organisation to the reconstruction of the democratic institutions
in Albania will continue unfailingly in. the future. Thank you for
your attention.

Thank you
very much, Mr Prime Minister. The applause that you have just heard
showed how much the Assembly appreciated what you have just said.
You have agreed to answer questions, and fourteen members of the
Assembly have so far indicated their wish to put questions to you.

I remind those who wish to put questions that they are limited
to thirty seconds, and no more. As we are short of time, I shall
use a bell to stop people exceeding their time – otherwise we will
not get through all the questions. I do not propose to allow supplementary
questions for the same reason.

Some of the subjects that members wish to raise have a common
theme, so I have grouped those questions together. Where that is
the case, I will call members to ask their questions one after the
other, and then invite you, Mr Prime Minister, to answer them as
a group.

The first group concerns the general political situation in
Albania, with questions from Mr Taylor of the United Kingdom, who
is an Ulster Unionist, and Mr Brunetti of Italy. I call Mr Taylor.

Mr TAYLOR (United Kingdom)

We thank
the Prime Minister for his progress report. I have two brief questions.
He said that he wanted to create a European Albania. Does that mean
that, eventually, Albania would wish to join the European Union
and become a member of Nato? He also praised the Stability Pact.
Can he confirm that it is benefiting Albania, not simply a great
idea?

THE PRESIDENT

I call Mr Brunetti.
He is not here. Mr Meta, would you care to reply to Mr Taylor’s
question, at least?

Mr Meta, Prime Minister of Albania

I thank Mr Taylor for his interesting question. I mentioned
that we want to build a European Albania. Albania has been in Europe
for a hundred years, but, because of fifty years of the hardest
communist regime in Europe, the country has encountered many problems
in achieving democratic values. Fortunately, Albania has made major
progress in the past ten years, and its entry into the Council of
Europe five years ago was a major step forward. For Albania to become
truly a European country, it needs to improve its democratic, economic
and constitutional standards to the level of the most developed European
countries. We are ambitious to join the European Union and Nato
and are now in the process of working on opening negotiations for
a new agreement on stability and association. Albania is fulfilling
almost all of its commitment? to the Council of Europe as regards
Protocol No. 6 and all the obligations that flow from the country’s
desire to join the European Union and Nato. We hope that will make
it possible in the years ahead for Albania to become a European
country, not only geographically and through its wish to become
so, but also because it objectively meets European standards.

As to the Stability Pact, I appreciate that the conference
on financing that Pact...

THE PRESIDENT

I do not
want to interrupt, Prime Minister, but the next three questions
are about the Stability Pact. Perhaps it would be better to take
them together? I call Mr Radie.

Mr RADIC (Croatia)

What concrete
results do you expect from the implementation of the Stability Pact
for Southeastern Europe?

Mr BEHRENDT (Germany)

I would like
to ask what benefits the Stability Pact will have for Albanian minorities
in Southeastern Europe and also what degree of inter-regional co-operation
between Albania, Montenegro and “The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia” will result from the pact.

Mr HEGYI (Hungary)

The situation
of the Albanian population in Kosovo is well known to us, but few
people are aware that there is also an Albanian minority in Montenegro
and “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. Peaceful co-existence
with the majority population is crucial to keep the peace in Europe.
How does the Prime Minister view the situation of the Albanian minority
in those two countries?

Mr Meta, Prime Minister of Albania

I must emphasise that the result of the Stability Pact must
be not only economic – although any lack of success in that regard
will be a disappointment for the region. The Stability Pact is aimed
also at helping the countries of the region to work in harmony in
building a common future. We must forget and leave behind our difficult
past, which was full of conflict and ethnic problems and has presented a
serious obstacle to the development of the entire region.

Since the end of the Kosovo war, we have seen growing harmony
between the countries of the region. There have been many meetings
and changes, and that better atmosphere will provide a helpful basis
for developing the projects of the Stability Pact. We hope that
the result will be not only a favourable political climate and growing
understanding between the countries, but new concepts for dealing
with minority and ethnic groups. We hope also to see economic changes
and reconstruction throughout the whole region, which will further strengthen
economic and infrastructural ties. The last Brussels conference
was an important step in that direction.

As for the Albanian minority in Montenegro and “the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, there are many ethnic problems
in the region. The Albanians probably have more problems than anyone
else. The position of the Albanian Government accords with Council
of Europe and European Union standards. We have a full commitment
to the Greek minority in Albania and to the ethnic groups in Montenegro
and Macedonia. We feel that we have a right to ask other countries
to adopt similar concepts in respect of Albanians in Macedonia and Montenegro.
Albanians have been in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
for many years and in Montenegro more recently. They are doing their
best to cohabit by participating in coalition governments and building
new democracies and a common future. The current Macedonian Government
of Mr Georgievski is dealing differently and in a positive way with
the Albanians, which helps Macedonia’s stability. I am sure that they
will work together to build new standards.

The Albanians in Montenegro belong to the democratic forces
in that country. They have some complaints, but we believe that
the growing democracy there will lead to improved standards. They
must take an active role in that process. Albania has co-operated
usefully and successfully with Montenegro and “the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia” over the past year and with the latter over the past
month in particular. Last January, we held a trilateral meeting
at prime ministerial level and have presented some common projects
in the context of the Stability Pact, which will help further to
improve our relationships.

THE PRESIDENT

There are
two questions on Kosovo and refugees. One is from Mr Iwinski, who
is outstandingly active for the Assembly in respect of refugees,
and one from Mr Kofod-Svendsen of Denmark. I call first Mr Iwinski.

Mr IWINSKI (Poland)

In view of the
number of challenges that Albania is facing, I want to ask about
the present situation in Kosovo. What is the attitude of the government
there to minor Albanian political forces, such as Mr Rugova’s group
on the one hand and Mr Thace’s on the other? How is the Prime Minister
perceiving the tendencies for an independent Kosovo or unification
with Albania? We would also be grateful if he will comment on the
situation in respect of Albanian refugees and displaced persons.

Mr KOFOD-SVENDSEN (Denmark)

I would like
to hear specifically about what possibilities there are for the refugees
to return to their home areas. Can you do something to help them
in starting their new fives in their home areas?

Mr Meta, Prime Minister of Albania

I thank Mr Iwinski for his question about our stance on developments in
Kosovo, the political forces there, and its future. The position
of the Albanian Government has always been highly principled, and
is part of the position of the international community on developments
in Kosovo. We are aware that there are many problems there, but
they do not compare with the situation a year ago, when hundreds
of thousands of Kosovars were refugees in Albania, “the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia” and other countries.

Today, those people are back home, but there are many difficulties,
because there is not yet a complete institutional framework there.
Managing life and managing the problems is difficult. The war was
only months ago, so there are also emotions and other reactions,
and some upset caused by disappointment at the fact that, when people
came home, everything could not be changed very rapidly, especially
from the economic point of view. People have passed a difficult
winter, with an almost total lack of energy supplies, and many other problems.

However, there is much progress. For instance, there is no
KLA in Kosovo today. There are some changes in political fife, too,
and Albanians have participated in the Interim Administrative Council
from the beginning, thus showing that they are willing to work closely
with the international community to build institutions in Kosovo
and stabilise the situation there. Unfortunately, the Serb minority
have not yet taken their place in the Interim Administrative Council,
but we hope that they will do so as soon as possible.

Certainly there are still problems. In particular, the situation
in Mitrovica has been continuously problematic, and we have asked
all the Albanians there to be helpful and to co-operate with the
international community – with Unmik, KFOR and so on. However, I
must emphasise that Milosevic is the person most interested in preserving
tension in Kosovo, because that is how he tries to keep tensions
far from Belgrade. He wants the international community’s efforts
to stabilise the situation in Kosovo to fail. Therefore, he tries
to cantonise Kosovo and to create enclaves that can be used whenever
he wants to make the situation difficult. That is the main reason
why we sometimes have problems.

From the outside, we have made it clear to the Albanian political
parties that our co-operation with them will be based on their efforts
to co-operate with the international community in building democratic
institutions, and on their showing their tolerance towards the Serb
minority and other ethnic groups. We do not have a special preference
for any particular group or party; we have a very principled position,
and that will continue to be the case. We also want a better understanding
among the groups, and the closest cooperation between the Albanian
factors and the international community, especially with Mr Kouchner.

Questions about the future of Kosovo cannot really be addressed
to me, and I am not the right person to answer them. The answers
must be given by all the citizens who live in Kosovo – but for us
it is a democratic Kosovo. That problem is on the agenda, and it
is much more important than the independence of Kosovo.

Mr COX (United Kingdom)

Prime
Minister, the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee of this
Assembly has been in the forefront of helping your country with
the protection and welfare of children. Can you tell us what progress
you are making in developing services involving education, health
care and care home facilities for the benefit of children? What
are you doing to stop the trafficking in children, which, sadly,
did take place in your country?

Mr Meta, Prime Minister of Albania

I thank you for your question, Mr Cox. We are aware of your
concerns and your recommendations concerning the situation of children
in Albania. That situation is problematic, as are the general situation
and the social problems in our country. I stress that we are very
committed to improving rights, living standards and education. I
am also committed to working to promote social cohesion, in close
co-operation with the Council of Europe and Unicef, and to define
a national programme for children, through the national committee
for women and the family.

Mr HORNHUES (Germany) (translation)

I note the Prime
Minister has announced the holding of local elections soon. I would
like to know if there is any substance to the complaints of the
opposition regarding the unilateral composition of the Central Election
Committee. Is the committee independent and will the conduct of
the elections therefore be completely unbiased?

Mr Meta, Prime Minister of Albania

I hope that my speech was clear about the organising of the
new local elections. Indeed, we can profit from this great opportunity
to invite the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to
monitor those elections. I am confident that they will be the fairest
and most free democratic elections in the country since 1991, because
the conditions for organising such elections are better than ever.
In answer to the specific question about the Central Election Committee,
I have to say that that committee was created by respecting the
constitution of the country. We see that there was some criticism
of the way the committee was constituted, but without questioning
the integrity of the individuals making up the committee. Despite
all that, I think that the essence of the noise which is coming
from part of the Democratic Party has nothing to do with the way
in which the committee was created. It has nothing in substance
to do with the people involved, either, but results from an effort
to make some noise about the idea that there are attempts to manipulate
the elections in Albania. That is not true.

Today, I represent a government, but also a party that was
in opposition in May 1996 when Mr Berisha, the former president,
manipulated the elections in a most unfair way. We cannot repeat
the same drama for Albanian democracy now, in the Europe of 2000.

We work very closely with the OSCE presence in Tirana, Ambassador
Ahrens, your representative there, and the international community,
to establish a dialogue and to resolve all the problems. We also
deal with all the logical points that come from the opposition,
always respecting the constitution, but also trying to show the maximum
flexibility and will to include the opposition in all the procedures
for organising the elections. It is not the majority that is quitting
the round table headed by the OSCE presence in Tirana, but sometimes
it is part of the opposition which wants to block the process. I
assure the Assembly that the government will take every measure
not only to develop the process, but to organise the most fair and
free elections in the country since 1991. Everybody is invited to
see them.

THE PRESIDENT

We have
five questions left. They are all on different subjects, but with
co-operation and speed we can get them all in, one after the other.
Firstly I call Mr Hadjidemetriou.

Mr HADJIDEMETRIOU (Cyprus)

I am one of those
who follow developments in Albania as a Council of Europe observer,
and I was a rapporteur in the parliamentary elections. I congratulate
you, Mr Prime Minister, on what you have achieved.

My question concerns culture. In its reflections on the struggle
in the former Yugoslavia, the Assembly has stressed the role of
culture in reconstruction and the development of understanding.
The Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe does not, however, include
action for culture and the cultural heritage. Does Albania believe
that there is no place for culture in the reconstruction process?

Mr POLLOZHANI (“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”)

Mr Prime Minister, I should first like to congratulate you,
your government and your fellow Albanians on your attitude and contribution
during the Kosovo crisis.

Secondly, in the framework of the Stability Pact for Southeastern
Europe there was a donors’ conference in Brussels. Albania received
a sum of money for infrastructure reorganisation. Do you believe
that these funds are sufficient for the realisation of Corridor
8? How long will it take to build it for the countries of the region?

Mr RODEGHIERO (Italy) (translation)

Prime Minister,
for many years Italy has been providing development aid to Albania in
the hope of tackling the problem of the many boatloads of clandestine
migrants arriving on Italy’s shores by courtesy of organised crime.

What is the Albanian Government doing to police its coastline
and help the Italian authorities with the identification of Albanian
citizens?

Mr RISE (Norway)

As an observer
during the referendum on your new constitution one-and-a-half years
ago, I should like to know, Mr Prime Minister, what have been the
main obstacles for the government in implementing the new constitution.
What was most worrying for me as I visited your country was the
extent of organised crime. We saw the mafia’s control of villages,
the stolen cars, drug trafficking, illegal economic activity. Do
you consider organised crime to be a threat to democracy? What is
your government’s main strategy to get rid of organised crime?

THE PRESIDENT

Mr Van der
Linden has gone, so that is the end of the questions. Good luck,
Mr Prime Minister.

Mr Meta, Prime Minister of Albania

I shall do my best to be brief, in order that we may be punctual.

I appreciate the emphasis that Mr Hadjidemetriou gave to the
role that culture can play, including in the context of the Stability
Pact, in helping to create a better understanding and more harmony
between the countries of the region. This can be a very important
way to promote more tolerance and understanding and to use cultural diversity
not to separate us from one another but to strengthen our co-habitation,
our understanding, so that we may live in harmony and respect this
diversity. We are therefore also working with neighbouring countries in
the context of the Stability Pact to present some common projects.

Mr Pollozhani asked whether the Brussels conference had resulted
in enough funds to finance Corridor 8. I have to emphasise that
building Corridor 8 remains of great importance, not only for Albania,
but for the development of our region. So far the process has advanced
slowly. However, we are optimistic, not only as a result of the
conference but as a result of our talks and negotiation with the
European Union, the European Commission, the United States, the
European Investment Bank and other institutions, that our countries
will have the right support to promote the project, to make it a
reality. The Brussels conference is just a starting point from which
we shall go on.

Mr Rodeghiero’s question had to do with Italy’s problems because
of “clandestines” from Albania. The fight against the clandestine
traffic in human beings is a regional challenge, because there is
a regional network which helps the “clandestines” to go to Italy,
not from Albania but from other countries to Albania and to Italy. Albania
has been and still is a transit country, which has been used by
the regional smuggling networks because of the fragile institutions
resulting from internal instability in the past. But in the last
year we have succeeded, co-operating very closely with the Italian
Government and the governments of other neighbouring countries,
in fighting this trafficking. Much more effort is needed. It is
also necessary that neighbouring countries from which “clandestines”
enter Albania, and from there pass to Italy, accept readmission agreements
with Albania and take their own responsibility in fighting the clandestine
network.

As for the difficulties in implementing the new constitution,
we have done our best after adopting European standards, and for
this reason I must thank the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission
for help in the whole process of drafting it. There have been many
changes in our legislation in order to make the whole legislative
framework compatible with the new constitution. As a result of this
process, we have passed very important laws on the judiciary, the
police and the civil service that will help to make fundamental
reforms.

With regard to the strategy against organised crime, there
is in Albania a completely different view of security, criminality
and organised crime compared with a year ago. Progress on improving
security and strengthening public order and relevant institutions
was recognised and appreciated at the most recent meeting of the Albanian
groups in Vienna in late February.

We are working very closely with the Western European Union
and Italian missions in order to be more successful in fighting
organised crime. Indeed, we have had success in fighting smuggling;
there has been a tremendous increase in the amount of goods seized
by customs in the past month. We have also been successful in fighting
the problem of clandestines. We are co-operating with neighbouring
and other European countries in the fight against drug trafficking
and every other type of trafficking through Albania.

I have done my best to give short and clear answers. I hope
that honourable parliamentarians have received the answers that
they wanted; if they have not, I apologise.

THE PRESIDENT

On behalf
of the Assembly, I thank you very warmly, Mr Meta, for both your
speech and your full and patient responses to our questions. You
deserve a good lunch.